Synthetic Yeast Genome Project builds five more synthetic chromosomes

March 9, 2017 |

In New York state, in a package featuring seven new studies, scientists of the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0) who previously constructed a single yeast chromosome now report constructing five more – representing more than one-third of yeast’s entire genome, in total. The results are major progress on the road to building the first fully synthetic complex organism, which the Sc2.0 consortium hopes to do in the future (swapping all 16 yeast chromosomes for engineered ones). Baker’s yeast, an important model for designer biology, is already used to make beer, biofuel and medicine, but once equipped with a full set of synthetic and changeable chromosomes like those designed here, this single-celled organism could produce better versions of these important commodities, including new antibiotics or more environmentally friendly biofuels.

Category: Research

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